Meet Rodrigo Jr.

Rodrigo Jr (RJ) was purchased in California for $300 by Steve (on the right) with the idea that he wanted to bring it here for us to use. RJ is a full size 1987 Ford Ranger. His friend Mike joined him for their adventure that started in California early on Friday March 13th. 3,200+ miles later (and >80 hr behind the wheel), they pulled up here in Guatemala on Sat March 21st at 5pm. They describe the trip at fun and full of adventure. However, they described crossing the Mexico/Guatemala border as horrifying and very stressful. We'd all heard horror stories and even the possibility of being detained for weeks and having to pay high fines. As it turns out, they came across an English speaking Guatemalan, (Byran)who helped them thru the various hoops at immigration. Mike and Steve said there is no logical order of when and where to stop...the variuos stations are not marked, yet at each station you have to process a particular piece of paper before you can continue to the next station. He said there were thousands of people all standing in the area where he had to drive, many of them hung onto his bumper or onto the hood. The truck was full of other donated items for us, and lukcily a tarp was tied across it. If the people had seen the items, I believe they would've been robbed. As it was, people were lifting up the tarp and trying to see what they could reach. I belive Byron was literally a God send. Later, they got lost in Guatemala, and again they came across an English speaking Guatemalan who hired himself out to the guys to get them to Guatemala Rodrigo Jr (RJ) was purchased in California for $300 by Steve with the idea that he wanted to bring it here for us to use. RJ is a full size 1987 Ford Ranger. His friend Mike joined him for their adventure that started in California early on Friday March 13th. 3,200+ miles later (and >80 hr behind the wheel), they pulled up here in Guatemala on Sat March 21st at 5pm. They describe the trip at fun and full of adventure. However, they described crossing the Mexico/Guatemala border as horrifying and very stressful. We'd all heard horror stories and even the possibility of being detained for weeks and having to pay high fines. As it turns out, they came across an English speaking Guatemalan, (Byran) who helped them thru the various hoops at immigration. Mike and Steve said there is no logical order of when and where to stop...the various stations are not marked, yet at each station you have to process a particular piece of paper before you can continue to the next station. He said there were thousands of people all standing in the area where he had to drive, many of them hung onto his bumper or onto the hood. The truck was full of other donated items for us, and luckily a tarp was tied across it. If the people had seen the items, I believe they would've been robbed. As it was, people were lifting up the tarp and trying to see what they could reach. I believe Byron was literally a God send. Later, they got lost in Guatemala, and again they came across an English speaking Guatemalan who hired himself out to the guys to get them to Guatemala City. Of course, Mike and Steve knew there was a chance this was a set up, that this Guatemalan could have led them anywhere, but it all worked out fine. Again, I think this is entirely due to the Lord being in control and I thank all of you who prayed during this time for the safety of Mike and Steve, and the safe delivery of the truck and its contents.

We were amazed at all the things they packed tightly into the truck. It even included a Lay-Z-Boy recliner, a large wood coffee table, a ladder, and the desk which I'm using right now in my room. The recliner is the first piece of furniture in this house that has a cushioned seat...actually the first piece of "real" furniture period. We're very excited! There were many many many more things as well. As a matter of fact, we're still unpacking stuff. Mike and Steve flew back to CA early Monday AM. I don't think they'll ever know just how much we appreciate them, their efforts, the truck, and all the stuff they've brought us.